Fire-door and other closure.



G. C. AVERY, DECD.

K. s. AVERY. sxzcunux.

FIRE DOOR AND OTHER CLOSURE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 13. 1911.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. C.

G. C. AVERY, DECD.

K. S. AVERY, EXECUTRIX.

FIRE DOOR AND OTHER CLOSURE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 13; 1911. I 1,169,596, Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@NTTED TATLE PATENT @FFTQE.

GEORGE C. AVERY, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY; KATE SHINDLER AVERY EXECUTBIX OF SAID GEORGE G. AVERY, DECEASED.

FIRE-DOOR AND OTHER CLOSURE.

L cense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE C. AVERY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Doors and other Closures, of which the following is a specification.

ihis invention relates to means for automatically closing a door or other closure under predetermined conditions, such as are indicative of a fire, for example.

It more particularly relates to the type of closure-operating means which is designed to permit the closure to be freely opened and closed wholly independently of the means for opening and closing it automatically, the latter being so correlated to the closure that it becomes operative thereon only when the condition arises (a fire in the vicinity of the closure, for example) which is intended to cause its automatic operation.

A principal purpose of the present invention is to provide a means of the type stated which will to a maximum extent possess the advantages of simplicity and durability of construction, and reliability of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means of the type stated which will combine with simplicity of construction the advantage of being capable of automatically effecting movement of the closure in aperture-closing direction with equal certainty and with no shock to any part of the mechanism, whether the closure be fully or only part way open when the closing means is released for operation.

These objects, and others which will hereinafter appear, are accomplished fully and in a most satisfactory manner by the constructions herein illustrated to exemplify what is regarded to be the preferred embodiments of the invention but to the details of which the invention is not restricted, as many changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the details without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subioined claims.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a side view illustrating one desirable form of the invention embodied as a means for automatically closing a horizontally sliding fire door. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, with parts broken away to show underlying parts. Fig,

3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing another desirable form of the invention embodied as a means for automatically closing a horizontally sliding fire door. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the plane of the line H of Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail perspective representation of the means for securing the automatic closing means to the closure, showing the position of the parts when the closing means is operatively connected to the closure.

The invention is herein exemplified as embodied in a means for automatically closing sliding fire-doors, this being the most useful application thereof: but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to this particular application or embodiment, and may also be applied to shutters or other closures of more or less analogous nature, and by appropriate modification may be operatively associated with a swinging closure. These are intended to be within the spirit of the invention as defined by certain of the subjoined claims, although other claims have been made which more particularly define the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

In both of the illustrate-l forms of the invention, the wall, its aperture and the closure are of identical form, and the same reference characters are, therefore, employed to designate these parts in both forms; A denoting the Wall, E the wall aperture and C the closure. In both forms, the closure is shown as provided with hangers comprising brackets D and rolls E, said rolls running upon a track F which is secured to the wall by suitable brackets G. These parts may be of the ordinary or any approved construction. The track F is horizontally disposed. Obviously, the parts described permit the door to be opened and closed manually.

As has been already suggested, the present invention relates to the means whereby the door, or other closure with which such means is associated, will be closed automatically when a predetermined condition arises, such, for example, as a sudden rise of temperature, or abnormal heat, indicative of a fire.

The power element preferably employed in the present means is a weight, as H, although the spirit of the invention as defined by certain of the subjoined claims will not be departed from by the substitution for the purpose.

is provided to hold the weight of some other means suitable for the The connection between the power element and the closure comprises a member having at its end remote from the power element a means for attaching it to the closure. This attaching means is normally disconnected from the closure, whereby the is relatively normal operation of the latter to and independent of the power element and said connection, and the correlation of ports is such, according to the present invention, that the operative connection of the attaching-device to the closure may be effected quickly and without shock whether the closure be fully open or partly closed, the closure having a suitable portion or member which moves with it in its normal operation always adjacent to the attaching element and said attaching element being of a nature which permits it to attach itself to the contiguous part of said member, or portion of the closure.

In the herein illustrated embodiment of. the invention the connection referred to comprises a suitable flexible member, marked I, which may be a rope, a-chain, a wire cord, or the like, but preferably is a steel ribbon, as this possesses ample flexibility and strength while being very light. The attaching element with which said member 7 is provided is marked J and the closure is shown as provided with a' member, marked K to be engaged by the attaching element. When the members J and K are operatively attached to each other, movement of the flexible element is imparted to the closure. At other-times the closure, including, in the illustrated embodiment the member K, moves relatively to the attaching element and in the immediate vicinity of the latter,

whereby operative engagement of the attaching element with the closure may be eflected without shock regardless of whether the closure is fully open or part way closed.

The other end of the flex ble element is suitably connected to the weight H, or the employed equivalent thereof, and a means weight, or its equivalent, normally non-operative, this means be ng of such nature that it will operate under the influence of the predetermined conditionhereinbefore referred to to release the power element for operation. A fusible means, such as is indicated at L in Fig. l or L in Fig. 3, may be desirably used for this purpose. The fusible means L is exemplified as being connected to the flexible element I and to the track F, while the fusib e mean L is exemplified as being connected to the track F and to the power element, as hereinafter more fully de scribed. It is'apparent that other means than a fusible one, ment of a fusible or a different arrange means than those hereln' particularly illustrated, may be employed. It operates normally to sustain the weight in non-operative position and is adapted under the control of temperature to release ate vicinity thereof and further movement of the power element then is transmitted to the closure.

In both of the herein-exemplified forms of the invention, the member K is a strip or bar which is attached to the closure and extends across the latter from one side edge to the other: and the member J is a dog having an. opening j through which the member K'is free to move when said dog is in its normal position, but when the dog is moved by movement of the flexible element 1, it will bind against the member K and cause the latter and consequently the closure to partake of the further movement of said flexible element. The normal position of the dog shown in both of the illus trated embodiments is an approximately vertical one, as shown in Figs, 1 and 8, and its operative'position is an inclined one, as shown inFig. 6. It is sustained in its normal position by a suitable means whose character should be such that it will hold it against accidental movement while permitting it readily to be moved to its operative position whenthe power element H is released for operation. The sustaining means referred to, com rises a member M having an aperture, m, through which the bar K is free to move and provided with means for suppo ting the dog. In both illustrated embod ments, the member M is a bifurcated one with proiections m upon which the lower end of the dog rests and with spring slips m m which bind the dog to the sus taini g member. fa ewise. This member M is suitably sustained in a fixed position. It is shown as being f xed to and depending from the track F. Obviously, other'means than the projections m and spring clips m we may be em loyed to hold the dog against its being accidentally atta ched to the bar K, while permitting it quickly to separate from the member M and assume a binding relation to the bar K when the power element is released.

In both illustrated embodiments of the invention the end of the flexible element remote from the dog is guided by a roll N and is secured to a part other than the weight, the correlation of parts being such ferent embodiments of such highly desirable arrangement are illustrated. In the form illustrated in Fig. 1, a bracket Q, suitably supported in fixed position, as by the rail F, sustains the roll N and has a rearwardly-extending arm, marked Q, having a lip or flange (7 against which the rear extremity of the flexible member is clamped by a nutted bolt Q which extends through said extremity and also through said lip or flange It is preferred, however, to attach this end of the flexible member to a means which will enable its tension to be readily adjusted or slack to be taken up. Such a means is exemplified in Fig. 3, wherein Q designates a threaded bolt one end of which is adapted for connection to the adjacent end of the flexible member, as indicated at said bolt being threadably engaged with an adjusting nut, g, which is fixed a ainst traveling movement upon the bolt while being rotative around the same.

The fusible means L hereinbefore referred to (see Fig. 3) forms an element of a connection between the weight H and a suitable fixed part. as the rail F for example. In this particular exemplification, the weight-sustaining connection comprises. in addition to said fusible means, a latch which is engaged with the weight and prevents its downward movement when the connection is intact. This latch is shown as a bellcrank lever, one arm of which, marked L is connected to the fusible means by a cord, rod or other suitable means L while the other arm, marked L has a depression, Z, in which the weight is suspended, the weight-carrier, marked P in this form being continued above its roll 79 and provided with a stud 79 to engage said depression. The bell-crank is pivoted, preferably upon the stud Z which supports the roll N. It will be apparent that when the latch is released, by melting of the fusible link for example. the force of the weight turns it upon its fulcrum at Z a distance which enables the weight to free itself therefrom, where upon the power of the weight becomes imposed on the flexible element thus operating the latter and closing the closure.

Having now described the invention what I believe to be new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a closure. of a power element adapted automatically to close the same, means for holding the power element normally out of operation, an attaching element, means connected with the attaching element and in constant operative engagement with the power element, the cl sure being normally free from connection with and movable relatively to the attaching element and having a part which in the movement of the closure travels adjacent to the attaching element, and said attaching element being adapted operatively to engage the adjacent portion of said part when the power element is released for operation.

2. A closure and a means including an attaching element and arranged for automatically closing the same, said closure having a member which extends transversely thereof and is adapted to be engaged by the attaching element of the closing means, and said attaching element being normally free from union with said member and adapted to engage the latter at different places in the length of the same, the closing means having a power-element which has connection with said attaching element and means for holding the power-element normally nonoperative, the power element serving when released to efi'ect an operative engagement of said attaching element with said transverse member of the closure and to move the closure into aperture-closing position.

3. A closure and a means for automatically closing the same, said closure having a member intermediate its ends and which extends transversely thereof, and said closing means comprising a power-element, a dog having connection with the power'element and adapted to engage said closuremember at different places in the length of the closure member, the dog being normally free from operative engagement with said closure member, and means for holding the powerelement normally non-operative.

4. In combination, a closure, a power element adapted to close the same automatically, said power element being normally free from connection with the closure and having means comprising a fusible member for holding it normally out of operation and means for automatically connecting the power element to the closure under predetermined conditions, said means comprising an attaching element, a connection between the attaching element and the power element, the closure having a member which travels therewith relatively to the attaching element and always adjacent to the latter so as to be engageable by the attaching element in any positionof the closure and means for normally holding the attaching element in position to permit said member to move relatively thereto, said means being arranged to release the attaching element when the power element is released for operation and said attaching element being arranged to be fixedly attached to said power element.

5. A closure and a means for automatically closing the same, said closure having a member intermediate its ends and which extends transversely thereof and said closing means comprising a power element, a dog adapted to engage said closure-member at different places in the length of the closuremember and a flexible means connecting the dog with the power element, the being normally free from'operativ'e engagement w th said closure-member, and'means forholding the power-element normally non operative. I 6;}; closure and a meansfor autonn cally closing the same, saidjclosure having a member intermediate its'ends and which extends. transversely thereof and said fclosmg means comprising a power element,

means for holding the power element normally non-cperatlve, a dog and a connection. between the dog and the power-element, the

dog having an aperture through which the closure-member extends and being normally held in position to permit said closure-menr her to travel freely tierethrough and moved intoa binding relation with the same when the power element is released for operation. 7. A closure and a means for automatically closing the same, said closure having a member which extends transversely thereof and said closing means comprising a power element, means for holdingth e power element normally non-operative, a dog, con.

nection between the dog and the power-element, the dog having an aperture through which the closure-member vextends, and means for sustaining the dog in position to permit said closure-member totravel freely therethrough, comprising a; fixed apertured member through which the closure-men'iber is free to travel and means for normally holding the dog upon said apertured-member, adapted to permitthe dog to move to permit said closure-member to travel freely therethrough, compris ng a fiXedapertured member through wh ch the closuremember isfr e to travel, means for support! ing the dog against longitudinal movement on SZI IdfiXBCl member, and means for bold ing the dog against movement away from the face of the fixed member, each of said means being adapted to release the dog when the power-element is'release'd for operation and its power is imposed on the dog, the latter when thus released being adapted to operatively engage said clcsuremember.

'9. A closure and a meansf for automati cally closlng the same, said closure having. a member which extends transversely, thereof and said closing means comprising i'ng an aperture. e-member extends, and means for sustain ng the deg 1n position a jpower-ele'ment, dmeans' for holding the power-element "normally non-operative, a dog, connection between the dog and the power-elemennth'e dog having an aperture through which'the power-element extends,

and asustaining member for the dog having means forfhold ng the dog ln position to.

permit' .tl1e closur'e member to'travel freely therethrou 'h, said means com DIISIHO s irin r b b b clips which are adapted to release the dog when the powerselement 1s released, the dog. when thus released being adapted opera tiv'ely to engage the closuremember.

.10. A closure andameans for automati cally closing the same, s idclosure having 4 a member which extends transversely there of and said closing means comprising a powerelement, means for holding power-element normally. non-operative, a dog, a connectionbetween the dog and the power-element; the dog havingan aperture through which the power-element extends,

and a sustaining member for the dog, con}.

prising a bifurcated. porti on which straddles the closure-member and has lipsjte. support thedog, said sustaining memberj also having a means for releasably holdingthe dog to,

the-face thereof, said dog being adapted operatively to engage the;.clesuremember when it has been released from the sustain.

ingemember and subjectedto-power of the power-member; w a

11. In. combination, ,a horizontally-slidable closure, a power element, means for holding the same normally out of operation said means'including a fusible member. the.

power element being nor mally freeirom connection with the closure, an attachmg element, a connection. betweenthe latter and said power element a member connected to and extendingtransversely of said closure and adapted tobe engaged by saidattach in}; element but which. is. movable with .re-

lation to. .the. attachingeleinent during the normalmovement oi the closure, and means permitting said attaching element toengage sald closure member on. the -fusing of Siild fusible member.

12 A; closure and a means for automatically closing the 5217118,,Silld closing means comprising a i'lEXlblG member one end of which has means 'fcr'connecting .it to the closure, the closure bemgnormally movable relatively to the latter means, a tension-adusting means to whichthe other end of.

the flexible member is. secured, a weight suspended {fromfthe flexible-member in advance of the secured end ofthe latter, and a'means operatively related to the automatic closing means to hold the same normally non-operative, said holding means beingv adapted to release the closing means under predetermined conditions 13.lln combination, a horizontally-slidable closure, a power element, means for thelie

holding the same normally out of operation, said means being of a nature such as that it will be rendered inoperative under predetermined conditions and the power element being normally free from connection with the closure, an attaching element, a connection between the latter and said power element, a member connected to and extending transversely of said closure adapted to be engaged by said attaching element but which is movable with relation thereto during the normal movement of the closure, means for normally maintaining said attaching element in fixed position, and means permitting the release of the attaching element from said lastnamed means when a pull is exerted on the attaching element at the time said power element holding means is rendered inoperative, the attaching element being arranged to operatively engage the contiguous part of said transverse member when thus released.

14. A closure and a means for automatically closing the same, said closing means comprising a flexible member one end of which has means for connecting it to the closure, the closure being normally movable relatively to the latter means, a guide roll over which the flexible member travels, means, rearward of said roll, to which the end of the flexible member is secured, a hanger having a roll which engages the portion of the flexible member between the guide roll and the last named means, a weight suspended from said hanger, and a means operatively related to the automatic closing means to hold the same normally non-operative, said means being adapted to release the closing means under predetermined conditions.

15. A closure and a means for automatically closing the same, said closing means comprising a flexible member one end of which has means for connecting it to the closure, the closure being normally movable relatively to the latter means, a guide roll over which the flexible member travels, means, rearward of said roll, to which the end of the flexible member is secured, a hanger which engages the portion of the flexible member between the guide roll and the last named means, a weight suspended from said hanger, a pivoted latch having arms arranged at an angle to each other, one of said arms being operatively related to the weight-hanger to hold the same against downward movement, and means connected to the other arm of the latch for holding the latch in operative position,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for adapted to release the same under predetermined conditions, the first mentioned arm of the latch being adapted to release the weight hanger when the latch-holding means releases the latter.

16. A horiZontally-slidable closure, a weight adapted to close said closure, a dog, a flexible connection between the weight and dog, and means for holding the weight normally out of operation, said holding means being adapted to release the weight under predetermined conditions, the closure being normally movable relatively to the dog and having a part which extends transversely thereof and partakes of its movement and travels constantly adjacent to the dog, and said dog being adapted operatively to engage the adjacent portion of said transverse part when the closing means is released for operation.

17. A closure having a member intermediate its ends and which extends transversely thereof, combined with a means for automatically closing the closure, comprising a dog having an aperture through which said member of the closure is normally free to travel, a weight, a flexible connection between the weight and the dog and means for holding the closing means normally out of operation, adapted to release the same under predetermined conditions, the dog being adapted operatively to engage the closure-member when the closing means is released.

18. A closure having a member which extends transversely thereof, combined with a means for automatically closing the closure, comprising a dog, a sustaining member for the dog, the dog and sustaining member having apertures through which said member of the closure is normally free to travel and the sustaining member having means for releasably holding the dog out of operative engagement with the closure-member, said dog being adapted operatively to engage said closure-member when it has been released, a weight, a flexible connection between the weight and the dog, and means for holding the closing means normally out of operation, adapted to release the same under predetermined cond tions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J OHN D. H. MITCHELL, F. M. BEDDING.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

